Vijayawada: State government acting in violation of High Court orders stated Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar

Vijayawada: State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar has stated that it is highly regrettable that the State government continues to show its utter disregard to the independence and integrity of the institution of the State Election Commission and felt that the stand taken by the government is in clear violation of the directions and Judgment of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.

In a press release on Sunday, Ramesh Kumar said the High Court vide para 308 of the Judgment directed the State to restore his position as State Election Commissioner and allow him to continue in the office until completion of the tenure till March 31, 2021.

He further said the High Court rightly recognised his vested right to continue as SEC for the reminder of the tenure. Ramesh Kumar on Sunday responded to the press conference conducted by Advocate General S Sriram on Saturday stating that the State government would move Supreme Court on the orders issued by the High Court reinstating him as the SEC.

Sriram said the government has two months time to implement the orders issued by the High Court on continuation of Ramesh Kumar as SEC. Sriram has questioned how Ramesh Kumar could give orders to the staff without getting appointment orders from the State government.

Responding to the AG's argument, Ramesh Kumar pointed out that the High Court vide judgment dated May 29, 2020 had set aside the Ordinance No.5 of 2020 dated April 10,2020 that notified the appointment of Justice V Kanagaraju (Retd) as SEC.

He said by reason of the above judgment, Justice Kanagaraju ceases to hold the office as SEC and his appointment is deemed to be void. He further said the office of the SEC can't remain unoccupied and the same can't remain vacant.

Ramesh Kumar has clarified that he issued orders to the staff on May 29 as the High Court had issued orders reinstating him as the SEC.